Off the wire
• Brussels officials slam vandalism attacks against city symbol Manneken Pis  • Slovenia responses sensitively over Germany's possible returning refugees  • Luiz in doubt for Brazil World Cup qualifier  • Urgent: U.S. stocks keep rising after Fed minutes  • Dutch PM calls for calmness in refugee crisis  • 1st LD Writethru: Gold futures close higher after dovish Fed Minutes  • 1st LD Writethru: Documents of Nanjing Massacre inscribed on Memory of World Register  • Urgent: U.S. dollar falls following Fed minutes  • 3rd Ld Writethru: Senior CPC leader meets with DPRK's Kim, delivers letter from Xi  • U.S. oil price gains amid falling output  
You are here: 　 Home

Spain book Euro 2016 ticket with win over Luxembourg

Xinhua, October 10, 2015 Adjust font size:

Reigning European champions Spain assured they will be able to defend their title in France next summer as they mathematically confirmed their qualification for the finals with a 4-0 win against Luxembourg.

Two goals each from Santi Cazorla, Paco Alcacer booked Spain's ticket to France, but in truth the Spanish labored for long periods against a side ranked 142nd in the world and it was only in the closing minutes when the result took on a more respectable look.

As expected Alvaro Morata led the Spain attack, while Marc Bartra played alongside Gerard Pique, who was booed by the fans in Logrono all night, at the heart of the Spain defense.

Spain suffered an early setback as David Silva was forced off though injury after suffering a heavy challenge after just eight minutes.

The Spanish were in control, but failed to convert possession into chances and they had another setback just after the half hour when Morata was also forced out through injury, to be replaced by Paco Alcacer.

It wasn't until the 41st minute that thy finally took the lead when Santi Cazorla fired home from close range after the Luxembourg keeper had parried a shot from Pedro Rodriguez.

Spain controlled the ball in the second half as well, but it was all rather sterile until the 67th minute when Alcacer scored his fifth goal for his country in nine appearances after a through ball from Cesc Fabrigas.

He added his second with 10 minutes left after a good pass from substitute Nolito, saw Jordi Alba's shot saved only for the full back to hook the ball across the goal (although it appeared to have gone out of play) for Alcacer to score from close range.

Cazorla sealed the win with a low drive with just five minutes remaining and Spain will end their qualifying campaign in the Ukraine on Monday. Endit